World War II Honoree
World War II Veteran
Frank Wilson Ficklin
Branch of Service
U.S. Army
Hometown
Wichita Falls, Texas
Honored By
G. Holman King
MEMBER OF TEXAS NATIONAL GUARD 36TH DIVISION WHEN IT WAS MOBILIZED IN NOVEMBER, 1940. ASSIGNED TO HEADQUARTERS BATTERY, 2ND BATTALION, 131ST FIELD ARTILLERY WHEN 2ND BATTALION SAILED FOR PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. DIVERTED TO BRISBANE AUSTRALIA, 30 DECEMBER 1941. UNIT DEPLOYED TO DUTCH COMMAND ON JAVA, 11 JANUARY, 1942. TAKEN AS JAPANESE PRISONER OF WAR ON MARCH 8, 1942 WHEN JAVA WAS SURRENDERED. 2ND BATTALION BECAME KNOWN AS 'LOST BATTALION'. AS PRISONER WAS TRANSFERRED TO SINGAPORE AND LATER TO THAILAND TO WORK ON BRIDGE OF RIVER KWAI. SHIPPED BACK TO SINGAPORE AND HAD ONE-HALF OF STOMACH REMOVED BY BRITISH DOCTOR WHILE IN CAPTIVITY. LIBERATED UPON JAPAN'S SURRENDER AND FLOWN TO WALTER REED HOSPITAL BY WAY OF INDIA. TRAVELED BY RAILROAD TO FORT SAM HOUSTON. RELEASED FROM SERVICE AS STAFF SERGEANT AT CAMP SWIFT IN BASTROP, TEXAS.